The type of doors and panels you select for your cabinetry will have a significant impact on the final look of your renovation as it will set the tone for the entire space. Apart from the design style, there are other items, such as durability, maintenance and budget constraints, to consider when selecting doors.
Through our custom flat pack online ordering platform, we provide you with three popular options for indoor cabinetry – Painted, Vinyl and Melamine doors. In this blog post we discuss some pros and cons for each option to help you make an informed decision.
Painted Doors
Painted doors are widely viewed and accepted as a top end door in the cabinet making industry. They are manufactured from MDF board which is painted with 2pac polyurethane paint.
Pros:
- Large range of customisation options. Choose almost any colour from the Dulux or Taubmans range. Finishes are available in gloss, semi-gloss, satin and matt. Large number of profiles (Shaker/Hamptons style) available to suit your unique style.
- Hard wearing, easy to clean and has a level of moisture resistance. This makes them very practical for high traffic areas such as kitchens. Probably the most durable option next to some melamine options.
- Scratches and chips can easily be repaired with touch up paint for small marks or resprayed for larger scratches.
Cons:
- Painted doors are often more expensive than other types of doors due to the labour and materials required to manufacture them.
- The lead time for painted doors is longer due to the time it takes to manufacture and paint the doors.
- Not available in woodgrain finish if you are looking for a timber finish.
Vinyl Doors
Vinyl doors is a very popular option for profiled doors if you do not want to pay the extra amount for painted doors. Vinyl doors are manufactured from a MDF board that is wrapped with a layer of vinyl over the front and edges of the door.
Pros:
- Large range of customisation options. Choose from a large range of solid or woodgrain colours. Finishes are available in gloss, matt or texture. Large number of profiles (Shaker/Hamptons style) available to match your unique style.
- Scratch/chip resistant, easy to clean and has a level of moisture resistance. This makes them very practical for high traffic areas such as kitchens.
- More affordable options available than painted or solid timber doors if you want a profiled door.
Cons:
- Less colour options to choose from compared to painted doors.
- Over time, vinyl doors’ colour can fade if they are exposed to direct sunlight or harsh cleaning chemicals.
- Difficult to repair if the vinyl is scratch, torn or peels from the MDF substrate as the vinyl is one continuous layer. Often the only solution is to replace the entire door.
- If the vinyl doors are not properly protected from heat sources, such as kettles or cooktops, it can shrink and peel from the MDF substrate.
- Heat shields needs to be installed next to built in ovens to protect the vinyl panels besides the oven. When the heat is managed and the precautions are made, this issue can be avoided, and your doors will last for many years.
Melamine Doors
This is the most popular option and with the biggest variety of colours and finishes. The quality of melamine doors, especially the edging, has improved significantly over the last decades and is of a very high quality. These days, many melamine door options are just as durable as painted doors. Melamine doors are made from MDF or particle board with a melamine pre-finish. After machining, ABS edging is applied to the edges of the doors.
Pros:
- Large range of customisation options. Choose from a large range of solid or woodgrain colours. Finishes are available in an ever-expanding range of options.
- More affordable options available than painted, vinyl or solid timber doors.
- With proper care and maintenance, melamine doors can last for years.
- Improvements in the manufacturing process has led to an increase in the quality of melamine doors, so much so, that some are just as durable as painted doors.
Cons:
- Not available in profile/shaker door options, but flat panels only.
- Difficult to repair if the melamine is scratched or chipped. Often the only solution is to replace the entire door.
- Over time, melamine doors’ colour can fade if they are exposed to direct sunlight or harsh cleaning chemicals.
- Difficult to replace woodgrain doors if the grain must match to existing doors.
In conclusion, selecting the right type of doors and panels for your cabinetry is crucial in achieving the desired look and long-term practicality of your renovation. The three options discussed in this blog post – painted, vinyl, and melamine doors – each have their own set of pros and cons that should be carefully considered before making a decision.
Painted doors offer a wide range of customisation options and durability, but can be more expensive.
Vinyl doors are scratch-resistant and more affordable initially, but can be costly to repair at a later stage.
Melamine doors are also affordable and come in a wide range of colours and textured finishes, but may not be suitable for those looking for profile/shaker door options and can be difficult to repair. By weighing the pros and cons of each option, you can make an informed decision that best suits your unique style, practical needs, and budget constraints.